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Stoddard County

MO · Pop. 28,547 · Suburban County

94/100Homestead Score

Stoddard County sits in Missouri across 823 square miles, home to 28,547 people at 34.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $135,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F and average winter lows of 25.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Southeasthealth Center of Stoddard is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.65%
Growing Season: 195 days
Broadband: 96.7%
Density: 34.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $135,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Southeasthealth Center of Stoddard, with an emergency room, is just 3.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.

At a glance

Stoddard County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
94/100
Median home price
$135k
Property tax
0.65%
Growing season
195 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
47.9"
Broadband
96.7%
Nearest hospital
Southeasthealth Center of Stoddard, 3.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.65%
Median Household Income$54,067
Poverty Rate17%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$135K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season195 days
Annual Rainfall47.9 inches
Avg Summer High87.9°F
Avg Winter Low25.2°F
Top CropsCotton, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSoutheasthealth Center of Stoddard (3.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Stoddard County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Stoddard County?
Stoddard County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F, and average winter lows of 25.2°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $135,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Southeasthealth Center of Stoddard is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Stoddard County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.